A visit to the important historical towns of Stará Boleslav and Brandýs nad Labem: 6 km

• From the late 9th century onwards, Stará Boleslav was a key strategic location for the Přemyslid dynasty, possibly the most important of a ring of fortresses protecting their Central Bohemian territory. Located on the north bank of the Labe near the confluence with the Jizera river, some 20 km northeast of Prague, Stará Boleslav is also believed to be the location of the most famous of Bohemian murders, that of Václav Duke of Bohemia, by his brother Boleslav, probably in 935 AD. Václav was later canonized, and became the patron saint of Bohemia. He is the Good King Wenceslas of the famous Christmas carol.
• As a result, Stará Boleslav became one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Bohemia. It was subject to frequent sacking during the religious wars of the 15th and 17th centuries and little remains today of its early medieval past, although the cores of the two churches built on the acropolis of the Slavic hillfort are of 11th century origin. The striking Baroque Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is another important pilgrimage location in the town.
• In the high Middle Ages, the neighboring town of Brandýs located on the southern bank of the Labe, was fortified with the construction of the Gothic castle by the Lords of Michalovice. The castle was renovated several times over the following centuries, finally resulting in its current Renaissance form, with its impressive sgraffito wall decoration. The chateau became a favored summer and hunting residence for a number of Hapsburg emperors, most notably Emperor Rudolf II in the 16th century. The chateau is open for public tours.
• It is only a very short (1 km) distance from Brandys to Stará Boleslav, so to create a slightly longer walk it is possible to loop back to Brandýs across the former hunting grounds. Part of this path has been made into an avenue celebrating Czech olympic athletes. The route is around 6 km long (excluding the diversions to one of the refreshment points). It is almost completely flat and can be undertaken with a stroller.
• Brandýs is blessed with several good refreshment options, including some excellent café-bistros. The following are definitely worth checking out: Kavárna na Půdě (map point 3), Gasolina Kafe (map point 12), Bistrotéka & kavárna Nevinnost (map point 13) and Kavárna Dvě vrány (map point 14). This author’s favourite of the four is Gasolina Kafe ( the quietest and most hidden!), but all are worth trying.

Note: click ‘Show on Mapy.com’  to go to a full screen version of the route directly on the mapy.com site. This can be used for on line navigation, saved or exported as a GPX file.

Directions

• Brandýs and Stará Boleslav can easily be reached by regular bus from the north of Prague. There are also various parking option in the town, including next to Brandýs chateau and the information office (this is paid parking)
• From the main square, follow the road through the centre to reach the chateau after 500m
• Take a walk around the small garden area at the Brandýs chateau (usually there are peacocks and other animals) and view the impressive moat
• Descend to the river using the walkway around the chateau passing under the archway
• Take the old stone bridge passing in front of the Renaissance mill building (at the time of Rudolf II this was the largest water mill in the country)
• Turn left after passing the mill alongside the Labe, passing under the main road and then climb the steps up to the road bridge
• On reaching the bridge, cross the Labe and follow the GREEN hiking trail along the main road into the center of Stará Boleslav
• On the left side 800m after crossing the river are the twin churches of St Wenceslas and St Clement
• A further 300m along the trail on the right side is the Baroque Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
• Either return back to Brandýs on the same path or take one of the side streets to the right, which lead after around 1 km to the BLUE hiking trail
• Turn right onto the BLUE trail, which includes the Olympic avenue. Follow this trail back to Brandýs chateau, which is reached in approximately 2 km
• From the chateau, if returning to the main square to catch a bus, take the RED trail which passes though parts of the old town. Various diversions to chose one of the nice cafés are possible on the way back!